Pin changing apparatus for bowling pin setting machines



May 3, 1955 w. LIWELLS 2,707,636

PIN CHANGING APPARATUS FOR BOWLING PIN SETTING MACHINES Filed March 24,1948 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 20 20 J10 HG 2 32 4400 .1] 20 66 25 20 1 4 42INVENTOR 252 7 4'4 Z52 WILLIS L. WELLS ATTORNEY May 3, 1955 w. L. WELLS2,707,636

PIN CHANGING APPARATUS FOR BOWLING PIN SETTING MACHINES Iiled March 24,1948 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 HNVENTGR W! LL! 5 L. WELL$ ATTORNEY May 3, 1955 w.L. WELLS 2,707,636

PIN CHANGING APPARATUS FOR BOWLING PIN SETTING MACHINES Filed March 24.1948 6 Sheefs-Sheet I5 FIG. 4

1NVENTOR WILLIS L. WELLS M4 MW ATTORNEY W. L. WELLS May 3, 1955 PINCHANGING APPARATUS FOR BOWLING PIN SETTING MACHINES Filed March 24, 19486 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG. 7;

WILLIS L. WELLS ATTORNEY W. L. WELLS May 3, 1955 PIN CHANGING APPARATUSFOR BOWLING PIN SETTING MACHINES Filed March 24, 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet 5INVENTOR -w|Ll.|s L. WELLS M4.

ATTORNEY FIG. I9 m y 3, 1955 w. L. WELLS 2,707,636

PIN CHANGING APPARATUS FOR BOWLING PIN SETTING MACHINES I Filed March24, 1948 A 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 iTL. 4322 592 52a 7 FIG. I8

INVENTOR WILLIS L. WELLS ATTORNEY United States Patent 0 PIN CHANGINGAPPARATUS FOR BOWLING PIN SETTING MACHINES Willis L. Wells, St. Louis,Mo., assignor, by mesne asslgnments, to American Machine and FoundryCompany, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New Jersey Application March24, 1948, Serial No. 16,725 9 Claims. (Cl. 273 -43) This inventionrelates to bowling pin spotting machines chine to effect the necessaryhandling of pins incident to their removal from the pit of a bowlingalley and replacement in playing arrangement on the playing bed.

Problems encountered in the design and construction of the bowling pinspotting machines are those of reducing weight, simplifying theirdesign, and providing mechanism which will handle bowling pinseiiiciently and with a minimum of wear and tear.

The present invention relates to a machine which is lighter in weight,relatively simple in design, and easy to control. The pins handled aresubjected to less Wear and tear on removal from the pit of the alley andon being delivered to the necessary pin spotting mechanism. The ball,also, is handled by improved mechanism which tends to substantiallyreduce or eliminate chipping and unnecessary wear in its removal fromthe pit and delivery to the player.

The invention solves the problem of distributing pins in a simple andexpeditious manner into triangular arrangement for delivery by thespotter onto the playing bed of the alley. This is accomplished byproviding a substantially vertically positioned pin magazine havingtriangularly arranged pin supporting stations corresponding with thepositions normally occupied by standing pins on the alley. A conveyor,which receives the pins in the pit of the alley, is responsible for thedelivery of the pins into the several stations in the magazine wherethey are positioned in substantially horizontal arrangement, one abovethe other, with their handle ends projecting outwardly from themagazine. A pin spotter provided with triangularly arranged grippingmembers is moved into position adjacent the magazine. The members gripthe handle ends of a set of pins in the magazine after which the spottermoves away from the magazine and in so doing, the pins are moved therebyhorizontally out of the magazine and delivered in proper playingposition onto the playing bed of the alley.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved bowling pinspotting machine which is relatively simple in construction and capableof handling pins with a minimum of Wear and tear, thereby increasing thelife of each pin handled by the several pin engaging parts of themachine.

The invention also consists in improved pin conveying mechanism which isso arranged that the several flights thereof which raise and move pinsthrough the machine are positioned progressively in the form of asubstantially horizontal moving conveyor floor onto which pins aredelivered from the pit, and which are constrained to travel verticallyupwardly in spaced substantially horizontal arrangement to lift pins oneby one and deliver them in succession into triangularly arranged pinsupporting stations.

2,707,636 Patented May 3, 1955 A further object of the invention is toprovide improved handling mechanismincluding an endless conveyor havinga substantially rectangular path of movement such that during a portionof the travel of the conveyor, it forms a substantially horizontaltraveling pin supporting floor and during a further portion of itstravel, conveys bowling pins one by one vertically upwardly and deliversthem selectively to either a pin triangularizing magazine or to a pinstorage device.

The invention also consists in the provision of pin orienting mechanismwherein pins are turned end for end and arranged properly for deliveryinto the pin triangularizing magazine.

With these and other objects not specifically mentioned in view, theinvention consists in certain combinations and constructions which willbe hereinafter fully described, and then set forth in the claimshereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate preferred embodiments ofthe invention and form a part of the specification, and in which likecharacters of reference indicate the same or like parts:

Figure 1 is a sectional front elevation-taken on line 1-1 of Figure2illustrating a preferred form of triangularizing pin magazine, and pinand ball elevating mechanisms;

Figure 2 is a sectional side elevation-taken on line 2-2 of Figurel--illustrating the pin magazine in conjunction with a pin spottingtable, and means for sweeping the pins from an alley bed into a pit fromwhich the pins are conveyed into the pin magazine;

Figure 3 is a partial sectional front elevation of the pin magazineshowing a modified form of construction of the triangularizing sectionof the pin magazine;

Figure 4 is a sectional plan view-taken on line 4-4 of Figure1illustrating the ball elevator, and a portion of the pin conveyor ofthe magazine;

Figures 5 and 6 are front elevations of two modified pin stations of thetriangularizing rack of the pin magazlne;

Figure 7 is a sectional side elevation of the ball elevating and returnmechanism;

Figure 8 is a perspective view showing a portion of the modified form ofconstruction of the triangularizing section of the pin magazineillustrated in Figure 3;

Figure 9 is a partial front elevation of the preferred form ofthetriangularizing rack section of the magazine illustrating the deliveryof the pins to various pin statious;

Figures 10 to 17 are schematic front views of the pin magazineillustrating the successive steps in the sequence of operations involvedin automatically transferring two sets of pins in storage from thestorage bin to the triangularizing or rack section of the magazine andto the alley bed, and depositing two sets of pins in use from the racksection of the machine and the alley bed into the storage bin;

Figure 18 is a wiring diagram illustrating a suitable electrical controlmechanism necessary to efiect a normal operation of the machine, as wellas a changing of pins in the same;

Figure 19 is a view of a modified control which can be used with thecircuit shown in Figure 18 to change single sets of pins.

The bowling pin setting machine selected for purposes of illustration,consists chiefly of a magazine M, a pin setting table T, an alley sweepS and a pit sweep PS. Within the magazine M, are arranged a pin conveyorCO, a triangularizing or rack section R, a ball lift L, a ball elevatorE, and a pin storage bin SB.

The magazine M consists of an upright rectangular housing or frame 25which at its four corners carries a number of suitably mounted studs 26on each of which are loosely mounted pairs of spaced sprockets 28 onwhich run two spaced endless chains 30 which form part of the pinconveyor CO. Chains 30 are connected by means of equally spaced bars 32and are driven by a pair of sprockets 34 mounted on a shaft 36supported. by suitable bearings attached to magazine housing 25. Shaft36 is driven by means of a suitable pulley (not shown) attached theretothrough a belt 38 from a pin conveyor drive motor 40. A number ofpivotally mounted cradles or flights 42 are equidistantly spaced alongchains 30 (Fig. l), and each flight is provided with a pair of guideshoes 44 employed for positioning the several flights properly whenpassing through the various sections of the magazine M, as describedhereinafter. Flights 42 convey pins from lower chamber F (Figures 1 and2) of magazine M, into which the pins are delivered by pit sweep PS, tothe triangularizing or rack section R. While passing through the lowerchamber F, flights 42 together with chains 30 and bars 32, form a moreor less horizontal moving band conveyor or moving floor onto which thepins are deposited by pit sweep PS. As the chains turn the right lowercorner of magazine M, and move vertically upward (Fig. 1), each flighton which a pin is resting carries it upward, the latter resting in ahorizontal position thereon.

I Since it is necessary that all pins delivered into the triangularizingor rack section R protrude with their heads in a forward directiontoward the pin supporting bed of the alley, all pins conveyed by flights42 must also lie with their heads or handle ends forward. If a pin comesto rest on a flight 42 in a butt end forward direction, such pin must beoriented or have its position changed to a head forward direction beforereaching the rack section R. The necessary change in direction ororientation of pins-can be effected by causing pin conveyor CO to movethrough a horizontal, substantially U-shaped loop channel U (Fig. 1).While passing'through the lower portion of channel U, flights 42 assumea vertical position.

such that a pin engaged by a flight is rolled or pushed in a barrel-likefashion substantially horizontally over the bottom portion designatedgenerally 50. Bottom portion is provided with a pair of suitably spacedguide rails 52 employed for the purpose of facilitating the rolling ofthe pins and assuring their horizontal movement. The bottom portion 50of the channel is so designed as to provide a narrow bridge plate 54,(Figures l and 2) which bridges the rear portion of a chute 56. Thelatter is equipped with a pair of spaced suitably curved pin reversingplates 58 and, on its bottom portion, provided with an opening leadingto the ascending section of pin conveyor GO. All pins which are liftedfrom the lower chamber F by flights 42, and are conveyed upwardlythereby in a head forward position, are easily and safely rolled orpushed over the narrow bridge plate 54 asillustrated in broken lines bypin 100 in Figure 2. If, however, a pin is moved into channel U in abutt-end forward position, it. will, upon reaching bridge plate 54,because of the position of the center of gravity thereof, tumble overthe edge of plate 54 and slide down chute 56, as illustrated. in brokenlines by pin 200 in Figure 2. The butt end of such falling pin willstrike-pin orienting or reversing plates 58 with the effect of beingguided into a head forward position, as illustrated by pin 300 inFigure2. This properly oriented pin then falls through opening 60 of chute 56onto one of the ascending flights 42. In case one of the ascendingflights already carries a pin, then the just oriented pin is simplypushed aside by the ascending pin and cannot fall onto a flight until anempty flight passes opening 60.

After successfully passing the lower portion 50 of the U-shaped channel,pins are guided through the upper portion of the U-shaped channel. Aseach flight 42 leaves channel U, it assumes agenerally horizontalposition and supports the pin which it has been pushing a shaft 102supported by plates 64.

through the channel. These pins are then carried upwardly through avertical channel 62, formed by the side of rack housing 108, and theback and side of magazine housing 25, to the triangularizing or racksection R of the magazine. A plate 63, provided with a curved portion atits bottom end, extends upwardly along channel 62 and transverselyacross the top of the machine, as shown in Figure 2. Curved portion 65tends to push any pin on a flight into proper position therein. If a pinis not located centrally on a flight 42, as it is moved thereby upwardlyinto vertical channel 62, the outwardly projecting end of such pinengages curved portion 65 and is pushed thereby rearwardly on the flight42 which is supporting it into proper centered position. Plate 63maintains pins in proper position on flights 42 during the liftingmovement and the rolling movement thereof along the top of rack R.

The preferred form of rack section R consists chiefly of two properlyspaced, vertically mounted plates 64 (Figures 1 and 2), which areprovided with ten pin locating or supporting stations 1 to 10 which formthe same pattern and correspond exactly with the ten pin locating spotson the bowling alley bed. While ten stations are shown, obviously moreor less could be provided to meet change of rules in the game. Infacilitating the delivery of pins to the pin locating stations, severalstations are connected by a common feed channel. Plates 64 are providedwith four feed channels, namely, 66, 68, and 72, each of which has anopening 74, 76, 78 and 80 respectively, leading to the top edges 82 ofplates 64. The design of the rack section R is such that feed channel 66connects and serves pin stations 1, 3, 6 and 10; feed channel 68 servespin stations 2, 5, and 9; channel 70 serves pin stations 4 and 8, andchannel 72 serves pin station 7. Each of the ten stations with theexception of stations 1, 2, 4 and 7, is provided with a pin arrestingmechanism which consists of a pair of pin supporting lugs 84-, 85employed for the purpose of supporting the head and bottom portion ofthe pin in substantially horizontal position. Each pair of lugs 84, 85consists of a rigidly mounted rear lug 85 and a hinge mounted front lug84. Each lug, with the exception of the lugs for stations 1, 2, 4 and 7,is attached to a narrow arm 86 for pivotal movement about a horizontalpivot. Each pair of arms 86 is mounted on a shaft 88pivotally supportedby plates 64. Since stations 1, 2, 4 and 7 are located at the bottom offeeding channels 66, 68, 70 and72 respectively, no rear pin supportinglug is necessary, but the bottom of each feeding channel in the rearplate is so formed as to-provide a proper support for the bottomportions of the pins coming to. rest in said stations. The front lugs34, which support the neck portions of pins in stations 1, 2, 4 and 7,are hinge mounted on horizontal pivots in brackets 90 secured to thefront side of the front plate 64. All front supporting lugs 84, inaddition to being hinge mounted, are also equipped with a suitabletension spring 92, which normally biases them to vertical position, butyields to permit forward tilting of lugs 84 when a set of horizontalpins is extracted from rack R. On each shaft 83 ismounted a lever 94(Figures 1 and 9) which by means of a link 96 is connected to a trip orcontrol arm 98, each of which is pivoted on Near the top portion of eachof the feed channel openings 74, 76' and 78, is located a bellcrank-shaped, spring-mounted check arm 104, each of which is pivotedonahorizontal shaft 106 supported by plates 64. Arms 104 are so designedthat the lower portion 107 extends into pin locating stations 8, 9 and10, respectively, when these stations are empty. As soon as a pinoccupies one of these stations and presses downwardly against portion107, the upper free end of the respective arm 104 is moved into aposition such that it closes the top edge of the pin rack housing 108,pin conveyor 1:

CO turns and moves in a horizontal direction, thereby causing flights 42to assume a substantially vertical position. All pins which had beenlifted by flights 42 are now pushed or rolled along the top edges ofspaced plates 64 (Figure 1). As the conveyor chains move horizontally,the cradles 42 are held vertical by means of their respective guideshoes 44 contacting suitable guide rails 110 secured to the top plate ofhousing 25 (Figure 1). When rack R is empty, the

first pin rolled along top edges 82 of plates 64 will,

upon reaching opening 74, due to its own weight, drop therethrough intofeed channel 66 and come to rest at station 1, where it is held in theproper horizontal position by the pin supporting lug 84, and the rearchannel plate 64 of this particular station, described heretofore. Onits way to station 1, the falling pin, of course, passes stations 3, 6and 10, thereby temporarily depressing control arms 93 for the stations6 and 10, and also check arm 104 at station 10, which momentarilyeffects a closing of opening 74 of feed 7'.

channel 66. Upon reaching station 1, however, this pin depresses controlarm 98 of station 3, which remains depressed so long as this pin remainsin station 1. The depressing of this control arm 98 through link 96 andlever 94 causes levers 86 to swing supporting lugs 84, 85 of station 3into operative pin supporting position in feed channel 66, so that thenext pin dropping through opening 74 into feed channel 66 comes to restand is positioned properly thereon at station 3. The second pin arrestedat station 3 in turn keeps the control arm 98 of station 6 in adepressed position which causes pin supporting lugs 84, 85 of station 6to swing into and remain in operative pin supporting position in feedchannel 66. The third pin dropping into feed channel 66, therefore,comes to rest on these lugs at station 6, which in turn keeps thecontrol arm 98 for station 10 in a depressed position, thereby effectinga raising and locking of the pin supporting lugs 84, 85 at station 10into the feed channel 66, so that the fourth pin dropping into feedchantion of the opening 74 of feed channel 66, thereby closing it andguiding any following pin, arriving at said opening, over the same andpreventing any further pin from entering feed channel 66 (Figure 9).

Since the opening 74 of channel 66 is thus closed, the

following pins are moved by flights 42 along spaced edges 82 fartheruntil they reach opening 76 of feed channel 68 where they drop intostations 2, 5 and 9 respectively in the same manner as the first fourpins dropped into stations 1, 3, 6 and 10. The dropping of a pin instation 9 causes check arm 104 guarding opening 76 of channel 68 toswing into channel closing position in opening 76, thus preventing morepins from entering feed channel 68. Any following pins therefore areguided over the openings 74 and 76 to the edge of the opening 78 of thefeed channel which accommodates stations 4 and 8. After two pins dropthrough opening 78 into feed channel 70 in a manner similar to thatdescribed heretofore, stations 4 and 8 are filled and opening 78 isclosed by means of the check arm 104 held in the center portion of saidopening by the pin deposited in station 8. The remaining pin forwardedby the pin conveyor is guided over the closed openings 74, 76 and 78 tothe opening of feed channel 72, the bottom of which forms the station 7.After the last pin is delivered to station 7, the loading of thetriangularizing pin rack is completed; triangularized pins held thereinare ready to be transferred by a suitable pin spotter to the alley.Since the pin delivered to station 7 is the last of the ten pinselevated by the pin conveyor during any cycle, the opening 80 does notneed a check arm as employed at the other openings 74, 76 and 78, andnone is provided.

Stations 1 to 10 in the pin rack R are arranged in the same manner andconform with the same pattern in which the pins are placed on the alleybed, i. e. station 1 corresponds with pin 1 on the alley, stations 2 and3 correspond with pins 2 and 3, etc. After passing over the top of thepin rack section R, pin conveyor CO makes a turn and moves vertically ina downward direction as indicated by the arrow in Figure 1. To savespace and to move flights 42 to a pin receiving position when arrivingat the bottom of housing 25, the flights, upon leaving the top portionof said housing, are moved or swung about their pivots from a verticalhanging position to a position where, in conjunction with bars 32 onchains 30, they form an almost flat conveyor band. The position of theflights or cradles 42 is changed by means of two studs 112 secured tothe rear wall of housing 25 and protruding into the path of the cradlesat the upper left turning corner of the conveyor chains 30. Afterflights 42 have been turned, guide shoes 44 of each flight engage withvertical guide bars 114 attached to the inner wall of housing 25.

The pin setter table T (Figure 2) employed for the purpose oftransferring the pins from the triangularizing pin rack R to the alley,consists of a suitable housing in which are rigidly secured tencylinders 122 arranged in the same manner and triangular pattern as thestations 1 to 10 in the pin rack R which correspond with the spots onthe alley on which the bowling pins are placed. Since all cylinders 122are identical in construction and operation, it is considered that adescription of one will suflice for all. Each cylinder 122 carries aplurality of spring mounted gripper arms 124 which at one end suitablyengage a cone shaped gripper actuating member 126 which is attached toone end of a rod 128 suitably supported in a sleeve or hub 130 mountedon a cylinder cover plate 132 which may form an integral part ofcylinder 122.

The other end of rod 128 is fastened to a plate 134 which at severalsuitable points engages with a number of threaded spindles 136, the endsof which are supported in hearings on suitable ribs or plates which maybe an integral part of table housing 120. Each spindle 136 has securedto one end a sprocket 138, each of which by means of a chain 140, isconnected to a sprocket 142, all of which are mounted on a shaft 144protruding from a suitable reversible gear reduction motor 148 suitablysecured within the table housing 120. It may be readily understood thatthe turning of spindles 136 through motor 148 causes plate 134 to movetowards or away from the cylinder cover plates 132, which in turn moveseach cone shaped member 126 on rod 128 in each cylinder towards or awayfrom the ends of its respective gripper arms 124 thus effecting agripping or releasing action of said gripper arms 124 in each cylinder122.

Table T is provided with a pair of studs 150 (Figure 2) swingablysupported in a pair of arms 152 pivotally mounted on a horizontaltransverse shaft 154 supported at each end in suitable bearings of twoframe members 156, each of which is mounted on the upper portion of theinner wall of one of the bowling alley kickbacks. Arms 152 also carry atransverse shaft 158 to which, at each end adjacent the outside of eacharm, is mounted a gear 160. Gears 160 engage withv stationary gearsegments 162, each of which is rigidly secured to the inner side of itsrespective frame member 156. Shaft 156 is rotated either clock orcounterclockwise by one, or preferably two, reversible gear reductionmotors 164, mounted on a sleeve bracket 166 loosely supported bytransverse shaft 154. It may be readily seen that a clockwise rotationof shaft 158 causes gears 160 to move downwardly on the stationary gearsegments 162, thus effecting a downward movement of arms 1'52 andconsequently of pinsetter table T towards the alley bed, while acounterclockwise rotation of shaft 158 effects a raising of table T awayfrom the alley bed.

Since the triangularized pins in pin rack section R are arranged in ahorizontal position, but have to be placed on the alley in a vertical orupright position, table T, in effecting the necessary transfer, isturned 90 by means of a pair of guide rollers 171), each of which ispivotally mounted on the exterior walls of table housing 120. Eachroller 170 runs in a cam track 172 of a vertical cam plate 174 mountedon the inner side of the frame member 156. After a set of ten pins hasbeen transferred by table T from rack section R to the alley bed, tableT rises from its lowermost position I indicated in dotted lines (Figure2) to a dwell position II about the alley and remains in this dwellposition until the player has thrown a ball.

After a ball is thrown by the player, it rolls from an inciinedplatform180 in the pit P onto a ball lift L (Figures l, 2, 4 and 7) consistingof a rack 182 pivotally attached to a pair of lugs 184 mounted on asuitable frame within magazine M. The rack 182, which in the illustratedembodiment is made of tubular members, is so constructed as to providean inclined transverse runway which leads into a delivery cradleconsisting of tubular member 186 secured substantially at right anglesto tubular rack 182, therefore, any ball rolling into any portion oftubular rack 182 will thus gravitate to the junction of member 186 andrack 182. Adjacent one end of member 186 is attached one end of atension spring 188. The other end of spring 188 is secured to a stud 190(Figure 7) held by a suitable frame member of magazine M. Ball lift L isheld at the bottom of pit P by the lower edge of a vertical backstop orpit cushion 192 secured to a pair of supporting brackets 194 (Figure 7).At the upper corner of each bracket 194 is pivoted a roller 196 runningin a vertical cam track or guide chan-,. nel 198 suitably secured toframe plates within the magazine housing 25. The lower corner of eachbracket 194 is attached to a stud 202 which is an integral part of anendless chain 204, and which also carries a roller engaging in avertical cam track 206. Both chains 204 are led over a pair of idlersprockets 208 and are driven or reciprocated by a pair of sprockets 21!]mounted on a horizontal drive shaft 212 carrying a sprocket 214(Figure 1) which is oscillated through a chain 216 running on a sprocket218 mounted on a shaft projecting from a reversible reduction gear motor220 suitably mounted on the outside wall of ball elevator housing 222.The machine is timed in such a manner that, as soon as a ball comes torest in the rack 182, a motor 228 actuates the driving sprockets 210 tomove the endless chains 204 in counter-clockwise direction, therebyeffecting a raising of the cushion 192 in the manner described above.The raising of cushion 192 in turn efiects a release of ball lift L,which, due to the action of tension spring 188, is swung to the positionindicated in dotted lines in Figure 7. Thus, since cushion 192 hascontinued its upward travel, the rocking movement of ball lift L causesa ball. to roll onto member 186 and into or onto the ball elevator E,which elevates the ball in the elevator housing 222, and conveys it to adelivery chamber 223 formed in the top portion of housing 222. Chamber223, of course, is closed so long as cushion 192 is in its uppermostposition, indicated in dotted lines in Figure 7, but as soon as thereversiblezmotor 220 turns sprockets 210-in a clockwise direction,cushion 192 moves down again, permitting the ball to roll by gravityfrom exit chamber 223 onto a suitable transverse ball return runway 226(Figures 1, 4 and 7) which delivers the ball onto a conventional returnrunway.

The ball elevator E (Figures 1, 4 and 7) consists of a pair of endlesschains 228, each of which carries a plurality of suitably mounted,equally spaced ball supporting lugs 229 which are so arranged andpositioned that each pair of opposing lugs 229 on the opposing chainsforms a cradle for a ball to be lifted. Each pair of opposing lugs 229projects through suitable vertical slots in spaced side walls ofelevator housing 222, thus confining the ball during elevation in thespace formed by two opposing lugs 229. As shown, the ball engagingportion of each lug is curved in order to conform to the curvature of aball, and prevent damage thereto.

The elevator chains 228 are driven by means of a sprocket 230 on shaft232 of motor 234. Sprocket 230 through chain 236 (Figure 7) drives asuitable sprocket mounted on shaft 238 supported in suitable bearingbrackets attached to the outer wall of housing 222. Also secured toshaft 238 is a sprocket 240 (Figure l) which drives one of the endlesselevator chains 228. The other elevator chain is driven by shaft 238 bymeans of a sprocket 242 mounted on a shaft 244 through a horizontalshaft 246 and suitable bevel gearing (not shown). Both elevator chains228 run over a pair of idler sprockets 248 pivoted to shafts 250supported in suitable bearing brackets attached to the outer wall ofhousing 222.

In case some pins remain standing after the first ball is thrown by theplayer, the table T descends, picks up said standing pins and returns toits dwell position II above the alley (Figure 2) after which a suitablealley sweep S, which functions also as a guard against carelessly orinadvertently rolled balls, pushes the fallen pins into pit P. In orderto assure that all pins falling or pushed into pit P reach the lowerchamber F of pin magazine M, pit P is provided with a suitable devicefor moving pins rearwardly in the pit. In the form illustrated, this isa pit sweep PS which pushes all pins from the pit onto the moving floorformed by flights 42 and bars 32 of the pin conveyor CO which runs in asubstantially horizontal plane across the bottom of chamber F. Flights42, while passing through the bottom portion of chamber F, moveprogressively into substantially horizontal positions and are held inthat arrangement by means of their guide shoes 44, which engage a guiderail 252 attached to the bottom portion of housing 25. A pin 253,projecting from the rear wall of housing 25 into the path of flights 42near the turning point of the conveyor chains 30 (Figure l), assures aproper guidance of shoes 44 onto guide rails 252.

Pit sweep PS (Figure 2) consists of a transverse sweep board 254attached to a horizontal gear rack 256 which engages with and isreciprocated by a gear 258 mounted on shaft 259 protruding from areversible gear reduction motor 260 conveniently mounted beneath thealley bed. In order to impart greater stability to board 254, it may beattached to and reciprocated by two or more gear racks (not shown) whichwould necessitate two or more gears (not shown) mounted on common shaft259 driven by said reversible gear reduction motor.

The alley sweep S employed (Figure 2) consists of a sweep board 262extending across the alley and at its ends secured to arms 264. Arms 264are pivotally attached to spaced endless chains 266 actuated by spacedoscillating sprockets 268 mounted on shafts 269 of reversible gearreduction motors 270. Each motor is suitably mounted to the respectiveframe member 156. Each chain 266 runs in a suitable channel in framemember 156. Each arm 264 is provided with a suitable double acting shockabsorber rod 272' linking arm 264 with chain 266. This mechanismprovides means which soften any sharp impact which sweep board 262 mayreceive when fallen pins are swept into the pit. This mechanism alsoabsorbs the shock caused by carelessly or inadvertently thrown ballsstriking against the front face of sweep board 262. It is to beunderstood, of course, that the two motors 270, activating the sweep S,are fully synchronized and act as one unit.

While the triangularizing pin rack R, illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 9and described heretofore may be considered the preferred form of pinrack construction, a

modified form of pin rack R is disclosed in Figures 3, 5,

6 and 8. In this modified form, pin rack R consists of a frame or shell280 in which are supported four shelves 282, 284, 286 and 288, each ofwhich carries one or more sets of laterally spaced upright mounted pinguide plates 290. The side edges of plates 290 are spaced in such amanner as to form pockets or stations arranged in a manner similar tothe ten stations in plates 64 of the preferred form illustrated inFigure 1 and corresponding with the pattern in which the pins are set onthe alley. As shown in Figure 8, the several sets of station formingplates are also spaced longitudinally in order to engage bowling pins attwo points in order to locate and hold them properly in substantiallyhorizontal positions for removal from rack R.

The arrangement of plates 290 is such that on shelf 288 is locatedstation No. 1 for No. 1 pin, on shelf 286 are located stations Nos. 2and 3 for Nos. 2 and 3 pins, on shelf 284 are located stations Nos. 4, 5and 6 for the Nos. 4, 5 and 6 pins, and on shelf 282 are locatedstations Nos. 7, 8, 9 and 10 for pins Nos. 7, 8, 9 and 10.

With the exception of station No. 1, each station is provided with a gapclosing device. In stations Nos. 7, 8, 9 and 10, each device consists ofa control arm 292 mounted on a shaft 294 supported in suitable bearingsin front and rear guide plates 290. To each shaft 294 is also secured apair of control lugs 296, each of which engages with one of the two gapclosing arms 298, which are pivoted on a shaft 302, also held by guideplates 290. Due to the difference in construction, i. e. the differencein depth of the pockets forming stations Nos. 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, fromthat of pockets forming stations Nos. 7, 8, 9 and 10, each of the formerpockets is provided with a pair of control arms 304 each of which ismounted on a shaft 306 supported in suitable bushings or bearings inguide plates 290 (Figure 8). To each shaft is secured a pair of controllugs 308 each of which engages with a gap closing arm 310, pivotallymounted on shaft 312 supported on hearings in front and rear plates 290.Control arms 304 and gap closing arms 310 are of similar shape anddesign as arms 292 and 298 respectively, but shorter in length. Thesearms are shown in greater detail in Figures 5 and 6. While Fig. 5illustrates a deeper pocket than those employed in stations Nos. 7, 8, 9and 10, Figure 6 discloses a shallow pocket as used in stations Nos. 2,3, 4, 5 and 6.

The modified stations shown in Figures 5 and 6, differ from the pocketsillustrated in Figures 3 and 8 only in the contour or shape of the sideedges of the vertical guide plates 290 forming said pockets. In Figures5 and 6, the sides are shown straight, while in Figures 3 and 8 thesides are shown curved. Both types of stations work equally well inreceiving and supporting pins.

The pins are elevated by flights 42 to the top edges 314 of verticalguide plates 290 (Figure 3) in the same manner as in the preferred formillustrated in Figure 1, and described heretofore. The first pindelivered to top edges 314 is rolled horizontally over or along the sameby the vertically positioned flight until the pin encounters the firstpocket forming No. 10 station. The pin drops into this pocket and comesto rest on the shelf 282 in a head forward horizontal position. Bydropping into and while occupying said station, this pin depressescontrol arm 292 which heretofore protruded into station No. 10. Controlarm 292 in turn actuates control lugs 296 which in turn effect an upwardmovement of gap closing arms 298,

bringing the latter substantially in line with the top edges 314 ofplates 290, thereby forming a bridge closing the pocket and preventingany further pin from dropping into station No. 10. The second pinarriving at the top edges 314 of plates 290 is rolled horizontallytherealong over the bridging gap closing arms 298 of station No. 10 andinto the open pocket of station No. 9, causing a depression of therespective control arm 292 which effects the closing of this pocket byits respective gap closing arms 298 in the same manner as the gapclosing mechanism for station No. 10 described above. The third andfourth pins will be delivered into the pockets of stations Nos. 8 and 7respectively, each of which is closed in the same manner after thearrival of a pin therein. The fifth pin, therefore, is rolled by itsflight 42 over the top edges 314 and the closed pockets of stations Nos.10, 9, 8 and 7 until it reaches the edges of the extreme left guideplates 290 on shelf 282 (Figure 3) where it falls into a chute formed bythe side edges 320 of said guide plates and the inner wall of shell 280.The curved top edges 322 of the extreme left side guide plates 290 onshelf 284 guide the fall of the pin and bring the same in contact with apair of horizontally mounted longitudinally spaced rotating spirals 324(Figures 3 and 8) which engage said pin at spaced peripheral points onits top portion and roll the same over the top edges of guide plates 290on shelf 284 until it reaches and drops into the pocket of station No.4. The arrival of a pin in the latter, causes control arms 304 to bedepressed. This in turn, through control lugs 308, effects a movement ofgap closing arms 310 to pocket closing position. The sixth pin deliveredby flight 42 to the top edges 314 will follow the same path as the fifthpin, except that, by means of spirals 324, it is moved over the nowclosed pocket of station No. 4 and drops into the pocket of station No.5 (Figure 8). The seventh pin is moved over the same path as the twoprevious pins and is dropped into the pocket of station No. 6. Theeighth pin is moved in the same manner over the top edges of plates 290on shelves 282 and 284 until it reaches the extreme right side edges 326of plates 290 on shelf 284, where it drops into a chute formed by sideedges 326 and the curved top edges 328 of plates 290 on shelf 286. Thecurved top edges 328 guide the top portion of this pin into engagementwith a pair of horizontally mounted longitudinally spaced rotatingspirals 330 which advance it until it drops into the pocket of stationNo. 3. After receiving a pin, the pocket of station No. 3 is closed inthe same manner and by mechanisms identical with those used in closingthe pockets of stations Nos. 4, 5 and 6. After being delivered to thetop edges 314, the ninth pin follows the same paths as the previous pinand is then dropped in the pocket of station No. 2. The tenth and lastpin is moved in the same paths and by the same mechanism as the twoprevious pins until it reaches a chute formed by the extreme left sideedges 332 of plates 290 on shelf 286 and curved top edges 334 of guideplates 291 vertically mount ed on shelf 288. Curved top edges 334 guidethe top portion of said pin into engagement with a pair of horizontallymounted longitudinally spaced rotating spirals 336 which advance thispin until it drops into the pocket of station No. 1, thus completing thefilling of the triangularly arranged stations Nos. 1 to 10 with pins.

Spirals 324, 330 and 336 are driven by means of a suitable gearreduction motor 338 (Figure 3) conveniently mounted on the inner side ofshell 280. The shaft of motor 338 carries a sprocket 340 which, throughchain 342, drives sprocket 344 mounted on a horizontal shaft 346supported by suitable bearing brackets conveniently attached to housing25 of the machine. Also secured to shaft 346 are sprockets 348 and 350.The latter, through chain 352, drives sprocket 354 mounted on shaft 356which carries one of the two spirals 330. Sprocket 348, through chain358, drives sprocket 360 mounted on shaft 362 which carries one of thetwo spirals 336. Shaft 362 also carries sprocket 364 which, throughchain 366, drives sprocket 368 mounted on shaft 370 which carries one ofthe spirals 324. The drive for one of each pair of spirals 330, 336 and324 just described, is that for the spirals located towards the frontportion of the pin rack. The drive for each rearwardly located spiral isthe same with the exception that it is driven from a shaft (not shown)which is in line with and parallel to shaft 346 and is driven by thelatter through a suitable pulley (not shown) and belt 372 from a pulley374 mounted on shaft 346. In arranging belt 372 to run crosswise,clockwise and counterclockwise rotations of the front and rear spiralsrespectively are obtained.

An important feature of this invention is the pin changing mechanismwhich includes a storage bin SB (Figure 1). In the embodiment shown, binSB is designed to hold twenty pins or two full sets. If desired,however, fewer pins can be stored therein. The pin changing mechanism isso constructed and operated that bowling pins in play can be transferredfrom the alley and rack R to storage bin SB and exchanged for storedpins in bin SB. The pin changing and storage mechanism is employed forchanging and/or replacing one or more sets of pins in use or in play forone or more sets of pins in storage in bin SB. For example, if there aretwo sets of pins in storage bin SB, and two sets of pins are in play, itis possible to change one set progressively and in this way extend thelife of each set of pins. In this manner, because each set of pins isbowled against only one fourth or one half of the time as compared withcontinuous use, the wear and tear on each set of pins is reduced andhence a saving results to the bowling alley proprietor because of thelonger use which he obtains from his bowling pins. The mechanismprovided by the invention, therefore, allows the bowling alleyproprietor to control the use of his pins in such a way that his bestpins are not in constant use.

It is also quite common in bowling alley establishments to use openplay" pins whenever possible instead of new or relatively new leaguepins which are required in league or tournament play. The term open playas applied to bowling pins, includes pins which although worn or in usefor some time and not acceptablefor league play, can still be used andare not objected to by many bowlers. It will be seen, however, thatalthough open play pins can be used at certain times, it may benecessary or desirable in order to satisfy customers, to change thepins. The mechanism described hereinafter accomplishes this purpose in arapid and eflicient manner.

The storage bin designated generally SB, consists of a suitably shapedbox or shell 380 mounted within housing 25 adjacent the pin reversingand orienting channel U. Within the box 380, are suitably arranged anumber of spaced generally horizontally positioned shelves 382 having aslight incline which support bowling pins delivered into box 380, andalong which pins can roll by gravity and pressure of succeeding pins toproper storage positions, such as shown in Figure l. The top portion ofbox 380, adjacent channel U, is provided with a hinge mounted entranceor guard door 384, which is normally maintained in bin entrance closingposition by spring 385. Door 384 is moved to bin entrance openingposition by meansof a solenoid 388 suitably mounted on the top of saidbox 380. The armature of solenoid 388 is pivotally connected to one endof link 386. The other end of link 386 is connected to door 384. Whendoor 384 is'in bin opening position, bowling pins being pushed throughchannel U by flights 42 are delivered into bin SB. These pins gravitatedownwardly between plates 3'89, 387, and 393- and roll from shelf toshelf through passageways formed bythe ends of shelves 382 until allpins delivered into bin SB take positions as shown in Figure 1. Whileshelves 382, when provided with a slight incline (Figure I) performsatisfactorily, their inclination can bevaried as desired in order tocontrol movement of pins therealong.

In order to provide for the delivery of stored pins from bin SB, thebottom portion of box 380 is provided with a hinge mounted exit or trapdoor 390. The latter, through link 392, is connected to the armature ofa solenoid 394 suitably attached to the lower side of box 389. Door 390is provided with a suitable spring 391 employed for the purpose ofkeeping it closed when not actuated by its solenoid 394. Adjacent theentrance and exit of box 380 are mounted suitable pin counters 396 and398 respectively, the function of which will be described hereinafter.

Counters 396 and 398 can be similar in design and construction to thosedisclosed and described in Rundell Patent No. 2,388,707, issued November13, 1945.

In order to make clear the operation of the pin changing and storingmechanism, the automatic transfer of twenty pins or two sets of pins,say, open play pins, from the pin rack R or R and alley to storage binsSB and the replacement thereof by twenty pins or two sets of, say Leaguepins is described as follows: Reference is made to Figures 10 to 17inclusive, which disclose a step by step operation of the pin storingand changing mechanism.

It is assumed that pins designated A and 3 represent two complete setsof open play pins, and pins designated C and D represent two completesets of league pins, and, before starting the machine, pins B are on thealley and pins A are in the pin rack, while pins C and D are stored instorage bin SB. Table T rests in its dwell position (Figure 10). Uponoperating a suitable pin transfer switch, which will be describedhereinafter, pins B on the alley are swept by alley sweep S into pit P,while table T ascends and removes pins A from pin rack R (Figure 11).Table T then places pin A on the alley while trap door 390 of thestorage bin is opened by its solenoid allowing pins D to roll out ofsaid storage bin into lower chamber F onto the moving pin conveyor whichelevates pins D upward to the new empty pin rack R (Figure 12). Afterthe tenth pin of set D has passed the pin counter 398, the lattereffects a closing of trap door 390 of storage bin SB. Due to theirweight and the slight incline of shelves 382 in the storage bin, pins Chave followed the outgoing set D, but are prevented from leaving storagebin SB by the timely closing of trap door 390. Table T in the meantimehas ascended to its dwell position and the entire set of pins D isconveyed into pin rack R while the set of pins C remains in pin storageSB (Figure 13). The pit sweep PS then swings into action and sweeps pinsB from the pit P into lower chamber F onto the moving pin conveyor CO.Meanwhile, due to the action of solenoid 388, the entrance door 384 ontop of the storage bin opens, thus allowing pins B, carried upward byflights 42 of pin conveyor CO, to be delivered into storage bin SB ontop of set of pins C, which at this time remain in the storage bin.After the pit sweep PS sweeps pins B into the lower chamber F onto thepin conveyor, sweep S sweeps pins A from the alley into pit P, while thetable T extracts the pins D from the pin rack R and holds them inreadiness for spotting above the alley. After the tenth pin of set ofpins B has passed counter 386 at the entrance to storage bin SB, counter396, through solenoid 388, effects a closing of entrance door 384, afterwhich table T places the set of pins D on the alley and the trap door390 at the bottom of the storage bin again opens and allows pins C todrop onto the moving pin conveyor CO which elevates them and deliversthem to pin rack R (Figure 16). In the meantime, the new empty table Tascends and remains in its dwell position above the alley. As soon asthe tenth pin of set of pins C passes counter 398 adjacent trap door390, the latter, through its solenoid 394, is closed again and preventsany further pin leavingstorage bin SB. The complete set of pins C, ofcourse, is elevated to the pin rack R (Figure 16). Pins A, still restingin the pit, are then swept by pit sweep PS into lower chamber F onto themoving pit conveyor. In the meantime, en'- trance door 384 opens againand pins A, elevated by the pin conveyor, are delivered into storage binSB on top of set B already located therein. After the tenth pin of setof pins A passes counter 396 at entrance door 384, the latter is closedin the manner described above, and the change of two entire sets of pinsis completed (Figure 17). Sets of pins B and A which heretofore were onthe alley and in rack R respectively, are now in the storage bin, andsets of pins C and D, which heretofore were in the storage bin, are nowin rack R and on the alley, respectively.

In order to properly control the action, as well as the timing of thevarious mechanisms during a normal as well as a pin changing cycle, themachine is provided with a suitable electrical control system, such asshown in Figure 18.

The normal cycle of the machine starts when a ball, rolled by a player,lands on plate 136 in pit P, which causes a temporary closing of pitswitch 462. This operation starts gear reduction cam motor 404 (Figure18). A shaft 406, protruding from motor 404, carries a number of cams,all of which are employed for the purpose of effecting the starting andstopping of the various operating mechanisms, as well as the propersequence and timed relation of the same.

As mentioned heretofore, each mechanism is driven or actuated by itsindividual motor. As shown in the drawings, seven individualconventional gear reduction motors are employed. Five motors are of thereversible type; the other two are of the one direction rotating type.In order to properly control the direction of rotation as well as thetime of rotation of each motor, the current supply is directed as wellas timed by means of a cam designed to open or close properly arrangedcontacts. Therefore, alley sweep motor 271) is controlled by cam 408,-nit sweep motor 260 is controlled by cam 41%), table motor 164 iscontrolled by cam 412, pin gripper motor 148 is controlled by cam 41.4,ball lift and cushion motor 224] is controlled by cam 416, pin conveyormotor 40 is controlled by earn 418 and ball elevator motor 234 iscontrolled by cam 420. Cams, 4%, 419, 412, 414, 416, 418 and 42s aremounted on shaft 406 of motor 404.

Also attached to shaft 406 is a motor control cam 422 which is used tokeep cam control motor 404 running after it is started by the closing ofpit switch 402. Cam 422 on shaft 406 starts turning in the direction ofthe arrow as soon as the temporary closing of pit switch 402 startsmotor 494, causing cam follower 424 to ride off the high spot 426 of cam422, which efiects a closing of contacts 428, and a shunting of pitswitch 402. One side of switch 402, as well as one side of contacts 428,is connected to one of the power lines L by means of a line 430. Thelatter is provided with a normally closed switch 432, the action ofwhich will be described hereinafter.

As cam shaft 406 begins to rotate a high spot 433 on ball and cushionlift cam 416 engaged by cam follower 434 on switch arm 435, throwsreversing switch 436 to the right, as viewed in Figure 18, and throughproper contacts, causes reversible gear reduction motor 220 to turn in acounter-clockwise direction, thereby effecting a raising of the backstopor cushion 192, which allows spring powered ball lift L to rise anddeliver the ball to ball elevator E. At this time, the cam follower 434of switch 436 has dropped from the high portion 433 of cam 416 to aneutral surface 438 of the same, causing switch 436 to resume itsneutral position which shuts off the power to motor 220 and causes it tostop, thereby allowing cushion or backstop 122 to remain in its raisedposition. In the meantime, a high portion 444) on cam 420 has engagedcam follower 442 of switch 444 and closed it. The closing of switch 444starts motor 234 which drives vertical ball elevator E, therebyelevating the ball through elevator shaft 222 to exit 223 for deliveryonto return runway 226. Motor 234 and hence elevator E, stop again assoon as cam 14 follower 442 drops off high spot 440 of cam 420 effectingthe opening of switch 444.

Shortly after a bowling ball is thrown and lands in pit P, table controlcam 412, through a cam follower 446 dropping into a low spot 448 on cam412, causes a reversing switch 450 to move to the left, as viewed inFigure 18, from a neutral to a circuit closed position, thereby startingreversible gear reduction motor 164 and effecting a downward movement ofthe table T from its dwell position It above the alley to its pingripping position I adjacent the alley (Figure 2). As soon as table Tarrives at its pin gripping position I, table control cam 412 throwsreversing switch 450 back to its neutral position, thus effecting astoppage of motor 164, and table T. As soon as table T comes to rest atits pin gripping position, a high spot 452 on pin gripper control cam414 through cam follower 454, throws a reversing switch 456 from aneutral to circuit closing position. This starts reversible gearreduction motor 148 which actuates the pin gripper mechanism in table T(Figure 2) and causes grippers 124 to grip any pins remaining standingon the alley. Cam 414 is designed in such a manner as to allowsufiicient time for pin grippers 124 to grip the standing pins securely.Continued rotation of cam 414 then causes reversing switch 456 to bethrown from its previously described circuit closing position to itsneutral position, which stops pin gripper motor 148.

Table control cam 412 is so designed and timed that, as soon as pingripper motor 148 stops, a high portion 458 of this cam, throughfollower 446, throws switch 454} from a neutral to a circuit closingposition. Since at this time switch 450 is moved by high portion 458 ofcam 412 to the right, as viewed in Figure 18, the flow of current totable motor 164 is reversed, thus causing motor 164 to effect an upwardmovement of table T, carrying the pins held by the pin gripper mechanismdescribed heretofore. Table control cam 412 is so designed that as soonas table T reaches its dwell position 11 above the alley, cam follower446 drops off the high spot 458, causing switch 450 to snap into neutralposition and thereby stop motor 164.

As soon as table T reaches its dwell position 11, a high spot 460 onalley sweep cam 408, through cam follower 462, throws a switch 464 froma neutral position to a right side contact, as viewed in Figure 18. Thiscauses reversible gear reduction motor 270 to start, thereby effectingmovement of alley sweep S towards pit P, causing all pins which wereknocked down by the ball and which have fallen onto the alley or intothe gutter, to be swept into pit P. As soon as alley sweep S reaches theend of the alley, cam follower 462 drops from high spot 460 of cam 408to low spot 466 thereon, causing switch 464 to move from its right sidecontacts to its left side contacts. This movement causes a reversing ofmotor 270 and hence the return movement of sweep S. As soon as thelatter reaches its inoperative position above the'alley, cam follower462 rides from low spot 466 onto neutral surface 468, which causesswitch 464 to break its contacts and move to its normal neutralposition, thereby stopping motor 270.

As soon as the fallen pins have been swept into pit P by alley sweep S,a high spot 470 on pit sweep control cam 410, through cam follower 472,moves a switch 474 to its right side contacts (see Figure 18), causingreversible gear reduction motor 260 to rotate in the proper direction toeffect a forward motion of pit sweep PS. In this manner, all pinspreviously swept into pit P are moved into the lower pin receivingchamber F onto the pin conveyor CO which is set in motion by high spot476 on pin conveyor control cam 418 which through cam follower 478,closes a switch 430 and starts the pin conveyor motor 40. The back-stopor cushion 192 and the ball lift L, as previously described, are stillin their uppermost positions. In order to prevent the pins pushed ontothe pin conveyor CO from tumbling off the same and out of chamber F whenconveyor CO starts moving, pit

sw'eep' PS, after reaching its forwardmost position at the rear of thepit, stops and dwells adjacent ot the conveyor for a short period oftime, after which pit sweep PS returns to its original position. Thestoppage of pit sweep motor 260 is caused when cam follower 472 dropsfrom high spot 470 of cam 410 to a neutral portion thereof, which breaksthe right side contact of switch 474 and returns the latter to itsneutral position. After remaining for a short period of time on theneutral portion of cam 410, cam follower 472 drops into low spot 482thereon, causing switch 474 to be moved into engagement with its leftside contacts, thus reversing the flow of'current to motor 260 andeffecting a return motion of pit sweep PS. After the latter reaches itsinoperative position adjacent the end of the alley bed, as shown inFigure 2, cam follower 472 rides from low spot 482 onto the neutralsurface of cam 410, causing switch 474 to return to its neutral positionand stop motor 260.

As soon as pit sweep PS starts its return movement, cam follower 434 ofswitch 436 drops into low portion 437 of ball and curtain lift controlcam 416, the action of which moves switch 436 into engagement with itsleft side contacts (see Figure 18), causing motor 220 to start andeffect the downward movement of baclestop 192 and ball lift L. Uponreaching their lowermost positions, cam follower 434 rides onto theneutral surface of cam 416, again causing switch 436 to move back to itsneutral position. This action stops motor 220. Pin conveyor CO continuesrunning until cam follower 478 of switch 48! drops from high spot 476 ofcam 418 to the neutral surface of the same, thereby opening switch 480and stopping the conveyor motor 40. in the meantime, and as soon asalley sweep S has returned to its inoperative position above the alley,cam follower 446 drops into low spot 484 of table control cam 412,causing switch 450 to engage with its left side contacts, as viewed inFigure 18. This operation causes table T, carrying the previously pickedup pins, to descend and replace them on the alley. When table T reachesits lowermost position I, cam follower 446 rides from low spot 484 ontoa neutral portion of cam 412, thereby moving switch 450 back to itsneutral position which effects a stoppage of motor 164. Cam follower 446rides on a neutral portion of cam 412 for a short period of time,resulting in a dwelling of table T at position I. During this time pingripper motor 148 is set in motion to operate grippers 124 and releasepins held thereby for respotting on the alley. Motor 148 is set inmotion when cam follower 454 moves onto low portion 486 of cam 414,causing switch 456 to engage with its left side contacts, as viewed inFigure 18. After pin grippers 124 are opened fully, cam follower 454rides onto a neutral portion of cam 414 again causing switch 456 toreturn to its neutral position, and thereby stop pin gripper motor 148.As soon as the respotted pins are released, cam

follower 446 rides off the neutral portion of cam 412 onto a'high spot488 of the same, causing switch 450 to engage with its right sidecontacts, as shown in Figure 18, starting motor 164 and effecting anupward movement of table T to its dwell position lI above the alley. Theupward movement of table T stops as cam follower 446 drops from the highspot 488 of earn 412 to a neutral surface thereon. I After the pins arerespotted on the alley and table T has resumed its original dwellposition ll, :1 high part: 427 on cam shaft motor control cam 422engages with cam-follower 424 on switch arm 42) and effects an openingof contacts 428, thereby causing gear reduction motor 404 and cam shaft406 to stop. High portions 426 and 427 on cam 422 are exactly 180 apart,thus stopping the cam control motor 404 and cam shaft 406 every one-halfrevolution. Therefore one complete revolution of cam shaft 406represents the first and second cycles of' the machine which correspondwith the first and second balls thrown by the player.

After the first c'y'cle. described above, is completed 16 and high spot427 on cam 422 has opened contacts 428, the machine is ready for thesecond cycle. At the end of the first cycle, every mechanism is in itsnormal position, the table dwells in position H above the alley and allpins which remained standing after the first ball was thrown, arestanding on the alley.

The second cycle starts as soon as the second ball, thrown by theplayer, lands in the pit and causes a closing of pit switch 402. Allcontrol cams, with the exception of table control cam 412 and pingripper control cam 414, are symmetrical, i. e. the high and low spotsthereon for the second cycle are in the same sequence and time relationas during the first cycle. The second half of the table control cam 412is so designed as to effect an upward movement of table T after thesecond or last ball of a frame is thrown and not a downward movement topick up pins as in the first cycle. During its movement upward in thesecond cycle, the table turn 90 and partly enters the pin magazine M, asshown in Figure 2, while the open pin grippers carried by said table,slide over the projecting neck portions of a set of pins supportedhorizontally in triangularizing pin rack R. During a short dwell periodof table T, pin gripper control cam 414 effects the operation ofgrippers 124 to grip the pins after which the table moves away from rackR, removing the set of pins gripped by grippers 124. In its furthermovement, table T descends, turns again 90 during its downward movementand spots the new set of pins on the alley. Of course, the delivery of anew set of pins to the alley takes place after the latter has been sweptclean of all standing and fallen pins by sweep S and the sweep hasreturned to its normal inoperative position above the alley. in themeantime, all pins of the previous or first set of pins are conveyed tothe triangularizing pin rack R and the ball returned to the player inthe same manner as during the first cycle of the machine, the first andsecond cycles representing the customary two balls or one complete framein ten pin bowling.

In addition to the control cams provided for the normal operation of thebowling pin setter just described, the machine is equipped with anadditional set of control cams 502, 504, 506, 508, 510, 512, 514, 516and 518 (Figure 18) employed for the purpose of controlling the time andsequence of operation of the various mechanisms when it is desired toreplace or change sets of pins, as mentioned hereinabove. For example,it may be desired to change one set (E) presently on the alley, andanother set of pins (A) in the pin rack R, for two sets of pins (C) and(D) presently in the storage bin SB, and convey the former two sets (A)and (B) into the storage bin.

The pin change control cams 502, 504, 506, 508, 510, 512, 514, 516 and518 are mounted on a shaft 520 operated by a suitable gear reductionmotor 522. In order to change sets of pins as outlined above, the playerpresses a push button 524 which starts the gear reduction motor 522. Ascam shaft 520 begins to turn, a cam follower 526 on a switch arm 528drops off a high spot 530 of motor control cam 502, causing switch arm528 to close contacts 532. This shunts push button 524, and assures acontinuous running of motor 522 after the release of the normally openpush button 524. Motor 522 keeps on running until motor control cam 502makes one full revolution, and cam follower 526 of switch arm 528 againruns on high spot 530 which breaks contacts 532 and stops motor 522. Noball is rolled down the alley either at the beginning or during the pinchanging operation. Pit switch 402 is rendered inoperative at thebeginning of the pin changing cycle when an arm 536 mounted on andturning with cam shaft 520 effects an opening of the normally closedswitch 432 in line 430. This arrangement prevents starting of machinecam control motor 404 at any time during the pin change cycle.

When cam shaft 520 begins to turn, high spot 538 on 1 7 alley sweepcontrol cam 506 engages cam follower 540 on a switch 542 causing thelatter to move from its neutral position into engagement with its rightside contacts, as shown in Figure 18. This starts reversible alley sweepmotor 270, whereupon alley sweep S sweeps the pins of set (B) from thealley into pit P. As cam follower 540 of switch 542 drops from high spot538 of cam 506 into low spot S44 thereof, switch 542 is thrown intoengagement with its left side contacts, as viewed in Figure 18, whichcauses motor 270 to reverse its motion, thereby effecting a returnmovement of sweep S to its normal position. Motor 270 stops as camfollower 540 rides from low spot S44 onto the neutral portion of cam 506which causes switch 542 to break its contacts and move to its neutral oropen circuit position.

As soon as alley sweep S starts on its return stroke, high spot 546 ontable control cam 510 contacts cam follower 548 of switch 550, causingthe latter to move from its neutral position into engagement with itsright side contacts, as viewed in Figure 18, thereby starting tablemotor 164 and effecting an upward movement of table T. The latter stopsand comes to pin receiving position in front of pin rack R when camfollower 548 of switch 550 drops from high spot 546 to a neutral portionof cam 510, causing switch 550 to move to its circuit opening positionwhich stops table motor 164. During this dwell period of table T, pingripper cam 508, through high spot S52 and cam follower 554, actuates aswitch 556 which starts pin gripper motor 148 in motion and effects anengagement of the pin grippers 124 in table T with the necks of pins ofset (A) resting in pin rack R. After these pins are firmly gripped, pingripper motor 143 stops as cam follower 554 drops from high spot S52onto a neutral portion of pin gripper control cam 508. Table T, due tothe action of low spot 553 of cam 510 upon cam follower 548 of switch556, then moves away from rack R withdrawing the pins of set (A) anddescends with them toward the alley. Upon reaching its lowermostposition I, these pins are placed on the alley and the table movement isarrested as cam follower 548 of switch 550 rides from low spot 5533 to aneutral portion on cam 510, thereby stopping table motor 164. A low spot560 in pin gripper control cam 50% through cam follwer 554 on switch 556then sets pin gripper motor 148 in motion again and effects a release ofpins (A) from grippers 124 in table T. After these pins are released,cam follower 554 of switch 556 rides from low spot 560 onto a neutralportion of cam 503 and stops pin gripper motor 148. Table T, throughhigh spot 562 on the control cam 510 acting upon cam follower 548 ofswitch 550, then ascends again and dwells at position II above the alleyas cam follower 548 of switch 550 drops from the high spot S62 onto aneutral portion of the cam.

In the meantime, a high spot 564 on exit gate control cam 518 engagescam follower 566 of switch arm 568 which causes a closing of contacts570 and the energization of solenoid 394 which, in turn, through itsarmature and link 392 efiects an opening of exit gate 390. As soon asexit gate opens, the pins of set (D), stored in the bottom portion ofthe pin storage bin SB, are discharged therefrom. The pin resting ongate 390 falls clear of storage bin SB when gate 390 opens. Theremaining pins of set of pins (D) roll one by one along downwardlyinclined shelves 380, 332 and fall one by one into chamber F and uponthe substantially horizontally positioned flights '42 of moving pinconveyor CO which carries these pins directly up to the now empty pinrack R. The movement of pins of set (D) out of storage bin SB alsoresults in the movement of pins of set (C) therein into the positionsformerly occupied by the pins of set (D), see Figure 12. Pin conveyor Cis set in motion shortly after cam shaft 520 starts turning, and remainsin motion to almost the end of the pin changing cycle. Pin conveyormotor 40, during the cycle, is controlled by cam 514 on which runs camfollower 572 on switch arm 574 which 15% opens and closes contacts 576in order to effect the stopping and starting of the motor.

In order to prevent more than ten pins dropping out of storage bin SE, apin counter 398 is located in a suitable position adjacent exit gate 3%.Counter 398 may be similar in construction to that disclosed in Patent2,388,707, issued November 13, 1945 to R. E. Rundell. Counter 393consists chiefly of a ten-tooth ratchet wheel 578 pivotally supported ona stud 580. Also pivotally mounted on stud 580 is a counter arm 582which extends into the path of pins leaving storage bin SB. Arm 582 isprovided with an extension lever 584 carrying a pawl 586 which is heldin engagement with ratchet wheel 578 in a well known manner by asuitable tension spring (not shown). Suitably mounted on ratchet wheel578 is a bridge plate 5% which normally joins a pair of contacts 592connected to the current supply line of cam control motor 522. Counter398 is designed in such a manner that ratchet wheel 578 rotates adistance of one tooth each time a pin moving out of storage bin SBtemporary depresses counter arm 582. A suitable tension spring 588,attached to lever 584, is provided to return arm 582 to its normalposition after depression. A suitable stop pin 589 limits the returnmovement of arm 582. A second spring mounted pawl 594, engaging withratchet wheel 578, is employed to prevent backlash of the latter.

As soon as the first pin of set (D), dropping out of the storage bin SBactuates counter arm 582, ratchet wheel 578 advances one tooth. Sincebridge plate 590 is mounted on the ratchet wheel, this causes an openingof contacts 592 and stops cam control motor 522. Stopping the latter, ofcourse, effects the stopping of cam shaft 520 and all control camsmounted thereon, but, since the high spot 564 through cam follower 566on switch arm 568 holds contacts 570 closed when control motor 522 isstopped, contacts 570 remain closed and therefore solenoid 394 remainsenergized. Consequently, exit gate 390 remains open, and the ten pins ofset (D) move and drop from storage bin SB. Since cam follower 572 ofswitch arm 574 also is on the high portion of pin conveyor control cam514, contacts 576 also remain closed and pin conveyor CO continues tomove and conveys the pins (D) to triangularizing rack R where they aretriangularized. All other cam followers at that moment are on neutralportions of their respective cams, and therefore no other mechanisms arein motion during this period. As the tenth pin of the pins of set (D)emerges from storage bin SB and depresses counter arm 582, the bridgeplate 590 has, after the ten stepwise movements of ratchet 578, returnedto its original circuit closing position, and again connects contacts592 which immediately causes control motor 522 to start again. Thestarting of motor 522 effects a turning of exit gate control cam 518,whereupon cam follower 566 drops off high spot S64 and effects abreaking of contacts 570. The breaking of the latter effects ade-energization of solenoid 394, enabling spring 391 to close exit gate390 and preventing the pins of set (C), in this instance, from beingremoved from storage bin SB.

At this moment, there are a set of pins (A) standing on the alley, a setof pins (B) still lying in the pit, a set of pins (C) arrested in thestorage bin SB and a set of triangularized pins (D) resting in the pinrack R (Figure 13). A high spot 604 on cushion lift control cam 512,

. through cam follower 606 on a switch 603, causes an engagement of thelatter with its right side contacts, as viewed in Figure 18, thusstarting motor 220 and effecting an upward movement of cushion 192 inorder that pins of set (B) can be swept from pit P into chamber F ontoconveyor CO. The upward movement of backstop 192 is checked as soon ascam follower 606 drops from high spot 604 onto a neutral portion of cam512, again causing switch 608 to return to its neutral position.

As soon as backstop 192 has been raised in the manner described, a highspot 596 on pit sweep control cam 504,

19 through cam follower 598, engages switch 660 with its right sidecontacts, as illustrated in Figure 18, thereby starting pit sweep motor260 and causing pit sweep PS to sweep pins (13) from pit P beneathbackstop 192 into chamber F onto moving pin conveyor CO. As cam follower598 of switch 6% drops from high spot 596 to low spot an of earn 534,motor 260 reverses and a return stroke of pit sweep PS is effected. Pitsweep motor 260 is stopped again as soon as cam follower 598 on switch6% rides from the low spot 632 onto a neutral portion of earn 504.

Cushion 192 remains in its lifted position until pins (B) are swept intochamber F, after which a low spot 610 on cam 512 is engaged by camfollower 6%, switch 668 is moved into engagement with its left contacts,as

viewed in Figure 18, to start motor 22% and a nownward movement ofbackstop 192 is eifcted This downward movement stops as cam follower 6&6rides from low spot 610 onto the neutral portion of cam 5i2 again,thereby breaking the motor circuit.

Since pin conveyor CO moves continuously, pins of set (B), as soon asthey are swept by sweep PS into chamber F, are carried upwardly fordelivery to rack R. In the meantime, high spot 612 on the cam 51 5 isengaged by cam follower 614 on a switch arm 616, causing the latter toclose contacts 618 and effecting an energization of solenoid 388. Theenergization of solenoid through its armature and link 356, causes theopening of storage bin infeed gate 384 so that all pins of set (E),

while being conveyed through the U-shaped channel U 3 by pin conveyorC0, are moved one by one through open gate 384 into pin storage bin SB.These pins, which are horizontally positioned, roll and/or slide alonginclined shelves 387, 393 and 382 and come to rest in the upper part ofstorage bin SB, the pins of set (C) occupying the bottom portion of thestorage bin. Since it is desirable that a full set of ten pins bedelivered to storage bin SE, a pin counter 326 is provided. This counterpreferably is mounted on the top portion of said bin SB and adjacentadmission gate 384.

Pin counter 396 can be of the same type and construction as counter 39%;previously described. Counter consists of a ten tooth ratchet wheel 629loosely mounted on a stud 622 on which is also pivoted a counter arm 624which extends into the path of pins moving into storage bin SB. Arm 624is provided with an extension lever 626 carrying a spring mounted pawl628 engaging with the teeth of ratchet wheel 62%. Suitably attached toratchet wheel 62th is a bridge plate 630 which normally connects andcloses a pair of contacts 632 provided in the current supply line fromcam control motor 522. T herefore, as soon as the first pin passingcounter 3% and entering the storage bin depresses counter arm 624,bridge plate 630 advances with the ratchet wheel 62%) and causes a breakof contacts 632 which, of course, interrupts the flow of current to camcontrol motor 522 and consequently stops it. Since cam shaft 526 and allcams thereon are also stopped, switch arm 616 at this time keepscontacts 613 closed. Solenoid 388 remains energized and holds admissiongate 334 open until the tenth pin has passed and the repeated actuationof counter arm 624 has brought bridge plate 635 again into position toengage both contacts 632. When this takes place, motor 522 is restartedto rotate cam shaft 520 which causes cam follower 614 on switch arrn 616to drop off high spot 612 of cam 5E6, resulting in a deenergization ofsolenoid 388 and a closing of gate 38d with assistance of tension spring385. Counter 3% is also provided with a suitable tension spring 634attached to lever 626 for the purpose of biasing lever 52d against asuitable stop 535 after each action upon counter arm 624. A secondspring mounted pawl 635 engaging with ratchet 62f prevents backlash.during the counting operations.

Shortly after the pins of set (B) have been delivered to storage bin SB,and motor 5'22 and cam shaft 520 have resumed their rotation, a high andlow spot 638 and 640 respectively on alley sweep control cam 5G6, effectthe customary back and forth stroke of alley sweep S, causing the latterto sweep the pins of set (A) from the alley into pit P. At the sametime, due to the action of a high spot 642 on cam 516 upon cam follower548 and switch 550, table T is caused to move upward to pin receivingposition in front of triangularizing pin rack R which at this momentsupports the pins of set (D). During this dwell period of table T,adjacent rack R, the pin gripper mechanism is actuated through theengagement of high spot 644 of cam 5% with cam follower of switch 556which causes pin grippers 124 in table T to securely grip the necks ofthe pins of set (D) projecting outwardly from pin rack R. As soon as camfollower .354 of switch 556 drops from high spot 644 onto a neutralportion of cam 508, the pin gripper mechanism is arrested, after whichcam follower 548 of switch 550 drops into low spot 645 of table controlcam 51%. This results in the downward movement of table T which isarrested when the latter reaches its position It above the alley and camfollow-er 54-3 of switch 55ft rides from low spot 646 onto a neutralportion of table control cam 510, the table carrying and holding theentire set of pins (D) above the alley. When table T comes to rest, highspot 648 of discharge or exit gate control cam 518 engages with the camfollower 566 of switch arm 56%. This causes a closing of contacts 57%resulting in the energization of solenoid 3%, which in turn opens theexit gate 390 at the bottom portion of pin storage bin SB.

The opening of gate 390 allows the pins of set (C) in the lower portionof storage bin SE to be delivered one by one from said storage bin ontothe moving pin conveyor CO which carries them upwardly to pin rack R fordelivery into the triangularly arranged pockets therein. The movement ofpins of set (C), out of storage bin SB, actuates pin counter 398 in thesame manner as described heretofore in the previous operation, i. e. thefirst pin contacting counter arm 5S2 effects the stopping of cam controlmotor 522 and cam shaft 520, while the tenth pin causes motor 522 tostart again, shortly after which, cam follower 566 of switch arm 563drops off high spot 643 which causes the opening of contacts 570 and adeenergization of solenoid 3% resulting in a closing of gate 390.

Shortly after exit gate 390 is closed, cam follower 548 of switch 55%drops into a low spot 650 of table control cam 51f) effecting a downwardmovement of table T and a placing of pin set (D) on the alley. Uponreaching its lowermost position 1, table T is arrested when cam follower548 of switch 550 rides from low spot 650 onto a neutral portion of cam510, causing a dwelling of table T in position I. During this dwellperiod, cam follower 554 of switch 556 drops into low spot 652 of pingripper control cam 508, causing the actuation of pin grippers 124 intable T to open the grippers and release the pins of set (D), afterwhich the pin grippers remain open as cam follower 554 of switch 556rides from the low spot 652 onto the neutral portion of cam 508.

As soon as the pins of set (D) are released in spotted standingpositions on the alley, cam follower 548 of switch 556 engages with highspot 654 on table control earn 510, causing table T to move upward toits dwell position 11 above the alley where it is arrested as camfollower 548 of switch 550 drops from high spot 654 onto a neutralportion of cam 510. Also during this period, the backstop 192 is raisedagain as cam follower 606 of switch 60% engages with high spot 656 onback stop lift control cam 610 thereby starting cushion lift motor 220.The latter is stopped again as backstop 192 reaches its uppermostposition and follower 606 of switch 6% drops from high spot e56 onto aneutral portion of cam 512. As soon as backstop 192. is raised, pitsweep PS receives a forward and backward motion due to the 21 operationof reversible sweep motor 260 through high and low spots 658 and 660,respectively.

The operation of pit sweep PS causes the pins of set (A) to be sweptfrom pit P into chamber F and onto the moving pin conveyor CO. As soonas the motion of pit sweep PS stops, a high spot 662 on gate controlearn 516 engages with cam follower 614 of switch arm 616 which causes aclosing of contacts 618 and an energization of solenoid 388, resultingin the opening of admission gate 384 in storage bin SB. The pins of set(A), which are being conveyed upwardly by pin conveyor CO throughU-shaped channel U are delivered by flights 42 one by one through opengate 384 into pin storage bin SB, and on top of the pins of set (13).Counter 396 is actuated in the same manner as described heretofore, thefirst pin stopping control motor 522, while the tenth pin causes therestarting of it and all other mechanisms indirectly controlled by saidmotor. Shortly after restarting motor 522, cam follower 614 of switcharm 616 drops from high spot 662 onto a neutral portion of earn 516,causing a breaking of contacts 618 and a de-energization of solenoid388, which in turn, with the assistance of spring 385, results in aclosing of admission gate 384. As the pin changing cycle is nowcompleted, the high spot 530 of motor control cam 502 contacts camfollower 526 of switch arm 52S resulting in the breaking of contacts 532and a stopping of cam control motor 522. Before high spot S30 reachescam follower 526, however, arm 536 also recontacted switch 432 andclosed the same. The machine is now ready again, either for normal orpin changing operation, as desired.

If it be desired to stop the pin changing mechanism after a single setof pins has been changed, as for example set of pins (C) for set of pins(A), in order to subject sets of pins to progressiveuse, a control, suchas shown in Figure 19, can be used. In Figure 19, cam 503 takes theplace of cam 502 of Figure 18. A two arm switch closer 535 is usedinstead of single arm switch closer 536. When push button 525 is closed,motor 522 is started and shaft 520 begins to turn. All of the cams shownin Figure 18 operate as formerly, except that shaft 520 is stopped after180 rotation, when either high portion 531 disengages from switch arm528, or after one set of pins in storage bin SB has taken the place ofone set of pins in the machine and in use.

The invention above described may be varied in construction within thescope of the claims because the particular embodiment, selected toillustrate the invention, is but one of several possible concrete formsof the same. The invention is not, therefore, to be restricted to theprecise details of the structure shown and described.

What I claim is:

1. In a bowling pin spotting machine for use with a bowling alley havinga pit at one end thereof, a pin triangularizing magazine, means mountingsaid magazine in a fixed plane above said pit, pin supports in saidmagazine, a pin storage device, means mounting said storage deviceadjacent said magazine, a conveyor having a plurality of pin lifting andtransporting flights operative to deliver pins from said pit selectivelyto said magazine or to said storage device, means for directing pins oneby one from said flights into said magazine for delivery to saidsupports, means for driving said conveyor to cause said conveyor todeliver pins into said pin magazine, means coacting with said conveyorflights for guiding pins advanced by said flights into said pin storagedevice, and selectively operable means for rendering said guiding meansinoperative, whereby pins are delivered by said flights into said pinmagazine.

2. In a bowling pin spotting machine for use in a bowling alley, aconveyor having a plurality of individual bowling pin conveying flights,a pin magazine, means mounting said magazine in a fixed planesubstantially perpendicular to the plane of said alley, said conveyorflights being normally operative to deliver pins to said magazine, abowling pin spotter, means for positioning said spotter in a planesubstantially parallel with the plane of said magazine, means foroperating said spotter to transfer said pins from said magazine to saidalley, a pin storage device mounted in said machine and located beneathsaid magazine, a gate for said storage device located adjacent the pathof travel of said conveyor flights, means normally closing said gatewhereby pins are normally conveyed by said conveyor flights into saidmagazine, and selectively operated mechanism for opening said gate tointerrupt the movement of pins by said flights to said pin magazine andprovide a pin receiving opening in said storage device for movement ofpins by said flights through said opening into said storage device.

3. In a bowling pin spotting machine for use with a bowling alley, aconveyor having a plurality of individual bowling pin conveying flights,a pin magazine fixedly supported in elevated position for receivingpins, a bow1- ing pin spotter, mechanism for operating said spotter totransfer pins from said pin magazine to said alley, a pin storagemagazine, means mounting said storage magazine in said machine in aposition spaced from said pin magazine, a plurality of vertically spacedpin receiving shelves mounted in said pin storage magazine, a guidemember extending adjacent the path of travel of said conveyor tonormally guide pins advanced by said conveyor past said storage magazinefor movement to said pin magazine, a storage gate in said guide member,means normally maintaining said gate closed for effecting delivery ofpins to said pin magazine, and selectively operated mechanism foropening said gate to interrupt the movement of said pins by said flightsto said pin magazine, and direct pins moved by said flights through saidopen gate, and guides in said storage magazine and between saidvertically spaced shelves for directing said pins onto said shelves ofsaid storage magazine.

4. A machine as defined in claim 3 wherein said storage magazine isprovided with a normally closed discharge gate, and wherein said shelvesare inclined for gravity delivery of pins therefrom, and part of saidconveyor is located beneath said magazine, and mechanism for openingsaid last-named gate whereby pins on said shelves of said maga ine mayroll along said shelves by gravity and be directed by said guides tosaid open gate and drop through said open discharge gate onto said partof said conveyor for delivery to said pin magazine.

5. in a bowling pin spotting machine, a bowling pin storage comprising aplurality of substantially parallel vertically spaced pin supportingsurfaces having openings through which substantially horizontal bowlingpins can move from one surface to another, a pin magazine spaced fromsaid pin storage, a conveyor for delivering a succession of pins to saidpin magazine or to said spaced supporting surfaces of said pin storage,an infeed gate for said pin storage mounted along the path of travel ofsaid conveyor toward said pin magazine adapted to provide access of pinsadvanced by said conveyor into said storage, means for causing saidconveyor to deliver pins to said infeed gate for movement therethroughwhen said infeed gate is open, a discharge gate remote from said infeedgate located adjacent said conveyor providing for discharge of pins fromsaid storage onto said conveyor, meas normally positioning said gates toprevent entry of pins into said storage or delivery therefrom, wherebypins are moved by said conveyor to said pin magazine, and selectivelyoperated mechanisms for opening said gates to prevent movement of pinsby said conveyor to said pin magazine and effect the transfer out of useof bowling pins through said open infeed gate to said surfaces of saidstorage and the transfer of reserve pins in said storage through saidopen discharge gate for use in said machine.

6. In a bowling pin spotting machine, a pin storage magazine, aplurality of substantially horizontal shelves in said storage magazine,each having a pin passage opening adjacent one end, said shelves andopenings being constructed and arranged to support a plurality ofbowling pins in substantially horizontal arrangement in said storagemagazine, a pin magazine, a pin conveyor normally operative to travel ina path past said pin magazine to deliver pins thereto, means normallypreventing pins moved by said conveyor along said path past said storagemagazine to said pin magazine from being delivered to said storagemagazine, selectively operable means for incapacitating said last-namedmeans, means rendered 0perative in response to the operation of saidselectively operable means coacting with said conveyor for transportingin-play pins one by one from said conveyor into said storage magazinefor movement along said shelves and through said passage openings, andmeans for effecting the removal from said storage magazine of reservebowling pins supported by said shelves onto said conveyor for deliverythereby to said pin magazine of said machine.

7. in a bowling pin spotting machine, a fixed pin storage magazine, afixed pin triangularizing magazine, a conveyor substantially encirclingsaid storage magazine and said pin magazine for delivering pinsselectively to sa d magazines, a pin spotter, means for operating saidspotter to transfer pins from said pin magazine to said alley, mechanismnormally effecting the delivery of a plurality of pins by said conveyorto said pin magazine, selectively operated means for incapacitating saidmechanism and causing said conveyor -.0 deliver in-play pins out of playto said storage magazine, and other selectively operable means fordelivering out of play pins from said storage magazine onto saidconveyor for delivery thereby to said pin magazine.

8. Bowling pin storage and changing mechanism for a bowling pin spottingmachine comprising a pin storage magazine for holding out-of-play pins,a pin magazine for holding in-play bowling pins, said storage magazinehaving an infeed delivery opening and a discharge open ing, meansnormally blocking said infeed delivery opening and said dischargeopening against delivery of in-play pins through said infeed deliveryopening into said storage magazine and delivery of reserve pins out ofsaid storage magazine through said discharge opening, conveyingmechanism common to said pin magazine and to said pin storage magazine,normally operative to deliver inplay pins to said pin magazine,selectively operated means for unblocking said openings, means renderedoperative in response to the unblocking of said iniced opening foreffecting the delivery from said conveying mechanism of in-play pinsout-of-play through said unblocked infeed delivery opening, and deliverymeans in said pin storage magazine for delivering ont-of-play pins insaid pin storage magazine through said unblocked discharge opening.

9. Bowling pin storage and changing mechanism for a bowling pin spottingmachine comprising a magazine having an infeed delivery opening and adischarge opening, a gate for each of said openings normally closingsaid openings, a pin conveyor having a plurality of pin conveyingflights, said conveyor being provided with a substantially horizontallap adapted to move transversely of the pit of a bowling alley beneathsaid magazine, a lap extending vertically upwardly relative to saidmagazine, a lap extending substantially horizontally across saidmagazine. and a lap portion extending vertically downwardly relative tosaid magazine into said pit, means for opening said gate of said infeeddelivery opening, means for operating said conveyor to move said flightsto receive pins in said pit and deliver a plurality of pins constitutingone or more sets of bowling pins to a point adjacent the infced gate,means for delivering said pins from the conveyor through said openinfeed delivery opening gate into said magazine, and means for actuatingsaid gate of said discharge opening to open said discharge opening toeffect the discharge of one or more sets of pins from said magazine ontosaid flights of said lap extending transversely of said pit beneath saidmagazine.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

